“In a small school like this dunking is a big thing,” he says. “They just want to see a fast-break flush — it doesn’t have to be a tomahawk. We showed we can actually play basketball and we’re not just an overaged Jr. Jazz free-for-all. ... Basketball has to be more than business sometimes, and it was fun to show my sense of humor while I compete.”

Grantsville basketball had found its belonging in the football-crazed town. “People hear that we’re fun to watch and they come,” Adams says. Today, signs encouraging attendance plaster gas stations and corner markets.

“For the first time I can remember the town of Grantsville is excited for Wednesday and Friday night games,” Adams explains.

Resultantly, the Cowboys have raced out to an 11-1 record this season — matching the win total of the previous two seasons combined.

“It’s special what I’ve seen happen,” Adams says, crediting the enlarged posters of the eight seniors enshrined behind the basket. “Last year we had a very talented group that fell off a wall after we lost to Bear River. They didn’t want to work hard in practice, but they still wanted to have fun. To me, winning is fun. I don’t care if I’m half-dead after a practice if it’s going to help me win — that’s fun.”

It’s 4 p.m. on the same chilly, comfortable afternoon. Adams reminisces amid dilapidated houses cuddled next to farming ranches. “After practice we either play 'NBA 2K14' or shoot something,” Adams laughs as he notices an announcement for the “White Out” against Bear River on Wednesday.

“For three years I have wanted to see the community become excited about basketball once again,” Adams says, peering out the window into the streets he’s walked countless of times.

“We decided we didn’t want to be the same laughing stock. ... I feel like we’ve succeeded,” he jaws proudly. “We’re not done, but I feel like we’ve proven ourselves finally. We can be a good basketball school — we’re not just football.”

Trevor Phibbs is a reporter who joined the Deseret News in 2008. He currently is the Weber State beat writer and also covers high school athletics and the Utah Blaze. Phibbs was raised in Sandy, Utah where he graduated more ..